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February 21, 2017
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Page 17

Cold Comfort

Pence Tries to Reassure EU Leaders Shaken By Trump

United States Vice President Mike Pence, left, walks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday,
Feb. 20, 2017. U.S. Vice President Pence is currently on a one-day visit to meet with EU and NATO officials.
(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, Pool)
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US Defense Secretary Mattis: US Will Stay in Iraq a While

LOLITA C. BALDOR He said there’s no doubt that “the Iraqi peo- campaign, and he mentioned it again late
Associated Press ple, the Iraqi military and the Iraqi political last month during a visit to the CIA. He told the
BAGHDAD (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Jim leadership recognize what they’re up against gathering there that, “To the victor belong the
Mattis said Monday he believes U.S. forces will and the value of the coalition and the part- spoils,” and added, “maybe you’ll have an-
be in Iraq and in the fight against Islamic State nership, in particular with the United States.” other chance” to take the oil.
militants for a while, despite some rocky times His optimistic words come on the heels of his Despite those tensions, Mattis and Lt. Gen.
between the two nations. earlier declaration that the U.S. does not in- Stephen Townsend, the top U.S. commander
Speaking at the end of a day of meetings in tend to seize Iraqi oil, distancing himself from in Iraq, described an enduring partnership be-
Baghdad with military commanders and Iraqi comments made by President Donald Trump tween the U.S. and Iraq.
political leaders, Mattis said he is open to any that has rattled Iraq’s leaders. “I imagine we’ll be in this fight for a while and
request from his military commanders to aid Trump’s oil threat and his inclusion of Iraq in we’ll stand by each other,” Mattis said.
the battle to retake Mosul and launch a major the administration’s travel ban have roiled the Townsend, who was standing by Mattis, de-
battle to oust IS from the base of its so-called nation and spurred local lawmakers to pres- clined to say how long the U.S. will stay in Iraq.
caliphate in Raqqa, Syria. He would not pro- sure al-Abadi to reduce cooperation with But, he said, “I don’t anticipate that we’ll be
vide details. Washington. “I think all of us here in this room, asked to leave by the government of Iraq
Despite President Donald Trump’s past threats all of us in America have generally paid for our immediately after Mosul.” He added, “I think
to take Iraq’s oil and his attempt to impose gas and oil all along, and I’m sure that we will that the government of Iraq realizes their very
a travel ban that includes Iraqi citizens, Mat- continue to do that in the future,” Mattis told complex fight, and they’re going to need the
tis said his meetings with Iraqi leaders under- reporters traveling with him. “We’re not in Iraq assistance of the coalition even beyond Mo-
scored the partnership the U.S. has with the to seize anybody’s oil.” sul.”
Iraqis. Trump brought up the prospect during the Continued on page 2